Industry News

Collision repair production surged in May, surpassing previous records. Employment and hours worked both increased compared to April and May 2023. Total production hours reached a new high, though they have declined from peak levels seen in late 2022 and early 2023. While average weekly hours worked dipped slightly, wages for production employees rose compared…

Repairify, a leader in remote diagnostics for collision repair, and NAPA, a significant player in the aftermarket repair industry, have joined forces to launch asTech Mechanical. This new device allows repair shops to remotely connect to certified technicians’ original equipment (OE) tools. These technicians can then perform programming, calibrations, and vehicle health checks on a…

Are you thinking of going electric but worried about the cost? A recent J.D. Power study brings good news for potential EV buyers. Despite higher upfront prices, electric vehicles save money in the long run compared to gas-powered cars in nearly every U.S. state. Over five years, EV owners in 48 states come out ahead…

Claim Genius and Repairify have joined forces to revolutionize the automotive claims process. By combining AI-powered photo estimating with diagnostic scanning and repair recommendations, the partnership offers a comprehensive, AI-driven solution for assessing vehicle damage and planning repairs. This integration drastically reduces the time needed for estimating and claims processing, from hours to minutes. Additionally,…

Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) dealership certification program has had a short and winding road. Introduced in December 2022 amidst a surge in EV demand, the program mandated dealerships to invest in training and charging infrastructure to qualify for selling EVs. This included requiring a certain number of charging stations, with an “elite” tier demanding even…

The Automotive Service Association® (ASA) urges Michigan residents to contact their state legislators to support Senate Bill 867 to reduce regulatory burdens on independent automotive repair businesses. The bill would allow repair businesses with multiple facilities to operate under a single registration, provided the additional facilities meet specific criteria, such as being near the main…

The Center for Audit Excellence (U.S. Government Accountability Office) (GAO) will conduct a review of U.S. vehicle safety design standards and their effects on the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists, according to a press release from Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland). This decision follows a letter Raskin sent to the agency…

I-CAR is launching a new educational program, I-CAR Academy, to replace the existing curriculum (PDP-EE) for both schools and collision repair centers. The new curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation for technicians entering the field and prepare them for further training and certifications. I-CAR Academy offers a modern approach to learning, combining online…

Toyota patented a system that lets car owners change the color of their vehicles using thermal energy. This would eliminate the need for dealerships to stock various paint colors and could potentially reduce unwanted inventory. The color change would happen in a special bay using heat and possibly light to activate a color-changing layer in…

A recent AAA survey suggests a decline in American consumer interest in electric vehicles (EVs). This year, only 18% of US adults said they were likely to buy an EV, down from 23% last year. The main reasons for the hesitation are cost, lack of charging stations, and range anxiety. AAA believes these factors may…